the hockaday school head of school

Dallas, Texas

HeaD of scHool PosiTion sTaTemenTJuly 2017

www.hockaday.org

1The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com

THe PosiTionFor more than a century, students and faculty at The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas, have engaged in learning, growth, and service on a solid foundation of the Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics. Throughout the School’s esteemed history, these principles have steered instruction across all areas, producing graduates who are confident young women of character and intellect, ready to assume roles of leadership in the world.

Hockaday, which enrolls 1,098 girls in grades Pre-K through 12, offers both day and boarding programs for a college preparatory education in a community that is diverse, welcoming, challenging, and nurturing. Constituents note that community members want to be at Hockaday; they relish the opportunity to belong at this special school. Families, faculty, current students, and alumnae share an enormous sense of pride in the institution that remains, for them, a home away from home. They feel connected by their traditions and core values, even as the School embraces a strong position in the 21st-century education landscape.

The School seeks a new Head to begin July 1, 2017. The successful candidate will be a committed educator and transparent leader who is an effective communicator, a collaborative listener, and a person of strong personal values. S/he will honor the traditions and history that distinguish Hockaday, while catalyzing inspiration and vision for continued progressive growth in the 21st century. The new Head will guide the implementation of the recently adopted

strategic plan, which has been embraced by the entire community. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for a person inspired by Hockaday’s unique mission and vision, who is a proponent of single-sex education, and who leads by example.

THe scHool’s HisToryIn 1913, a group of Dallas leaders asked Miss Ela Hockaday, a teacher and principal, to pioneer an academic institution for their daughters that equaled the education available to their sons. Miss Hockaday agreed, and The Hockaday School for Girls opened in September of that year with 10 students in North Dallas. By the 1920s, the School established a respected reputation for high academic standards. It increased in size, adding a Lower School and a Boarding Department. In 1931, Miss Hockaday began a Junior College, and in 1938 she opened the Music Institute. In 1961, Karl Hoblitzelle donated 100 acres in North Dallas, which became the site of Hockaday’s third and present-day campus.

MissionBelieving in the limitless potential of girls, Hockaday develops resilient, confident womenwho are educated and inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.

VisionHockaday will engage every girl in a shared journey of discovery, integrity, scholarship, and accomplishment.

Four Cornerstones• Character• Courtesy• Scholarship• Athletics

Fast Facts• Students: 1,098• States represented: 7• Countries represented: 12• Students of color: 36%• Faculty members: 128• Faculty of color: 22%• Student/teacher ratio: 10:1• Faculty with advanced degrees: 69%• Financial aid awarded: $3.36 million


Now more than 102 years later, Hockaday is still deeply committed to its founder’s vision and the Four Cornerstones that shape the School’s identity. Over the years, Hockaday has grown from a school of 10 to one that enrolls nearly 1,100 students from seven states and 12 countries. The School is proud of its diverse community of teachers and students and retains its strong values of academics and character.

THe scHool ToDayToday, Hockaday prepares girls of strong potential from diverse backgrounds for lives of responsibility and leadership. Through small classes, creative teaching, and an approach that emphasizes the process of learning, Hockaday seeks to discover unique aptitudes and awaken the intellectual curiosity of every girl. Outside the classroom, students engage in arts and athletics, developing an appreciation for the beauty and joy of self-expression and an awareness of the importance of physical and mental health. Across all areas—in the classroom, on the field, in the studio, and on the stage—an undercurrent of character and ethics pervades the learning environment. Teachers constantly emphasize the importance of strong values and encourage students to develop respectful and considerate attitudes, a generosity of spirit, respect for the ideals of human worth and dignity, and harmonious, mature character well-equipped to make responsible choices and withstand the pressures of today’s society.


Constituents laud the School’s single-sex community as a key strength. Hockaday celebrates girls at all ages by focusing on the way they uniquely grow and learn, and it offers them opportunities both to participate and to lead.

acaDemics

Learning begins in the Lower School, where girls can embark on a 14-year journey defined by connections: with other people, with key concepts, and with varying subject matters. In the Lower School, students begin to identify whom they want to be and how they learn, and teachers work individually with each student to help her develop her full potential. The daily Hock-A-Way Pledge reminds students of the importance of their core values in all aspects of learning.

Learning in these grades is fun and transformative. Through hands-on experiences in STEAM subjects, problem-solving in cooperative learning activities, and a reading and writing program that combines literature and phonetics, girls learn to ask questions, make discoveries, find answers for themselves, and become promising leaders.

Hockaday’s Middle School is defined by curiosity, enthusiasm, and energy. Students find joy in the learning process and learn to view challenges as opportunities. Teachers focus on distilling how students learn, helping them make connections between content and strategies that will prepare them for success in Upper School, college, and beyond.


The Middle School program highlights creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, challenge, and fun. Students pursue coursework in English, math, history, world languages, science, physical education, and fine arts. They learn to collaborate meaningfully and productively with their peers. A wide menu of elective explorations inspires passions and interests that carry over to the Upper School. A vibrant advisory program, study program, and after-school athletics in grades seven and eight ensure enrichment and support both during and after school hours.

The Upper School at Hockaday is defined by academic courses that are rigorous and challenging; even courses that don’t carry an honors or AP designation are considered among the most demanding. In addition to core work in English, history, math, sciences, world languages, physical education, and the arts, students have a wide range of available electives, independent studies, and online courses from which to choose. Students may choose to engage in an English Senior Seminar, a semester-long course that focuses on a variety of literary themes and allows students to explore their individual interests. Hockaday’s Integrated Math course combines concepts from Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II over a three-year period. History of Art and Music is a required interdisciplinary course that showcases Hockaday’s commitment to the arts. Additionally, students may engage in directed independent study projects or pursue an online class through Hockaday’s participation in the Online School for Girls, a consortium of 83 independent girls’ and co-ed schools.

The myriad of academic and extracurricular experiences available at Hockaday make students compelling candidates for college admission. In 2015, graduates were admitted to 178 institutions of higher learning. Hockaday graduates, including two recent Rhodes scholars, continue to pursue their love of learning after leaving Hockaday.

college maTriculaTion

In 2014 and 2015, Hockaday graduates matriculated at the following colleges and universities, among others:• Boston College• Boston University• Bowdoin College• Brandeis University• Brown University• Carleton College• Carnegie Mellon University• Case Western Reserve University• Colgate University• Columbia University• Cornell University• Dartmouth College• Duke University• Emory University• Georgia Institute of Technology• Harvard University• Haverford College• Howard University• Johns Hopkins University• Louisiana State University• Massachusetts Institute of Technology• Middlebury College• New York University• Northeastern University• Northwestern University• Pennsylvania State University• Princeton University• Purdue University• Rice University• Sewanee: The University of the South• Southern Methodist University• Stanford University• Texas A&M University• Texas Christian University• The George Washington University• The University of Georgia• The University of Texas at Austin• The University of Texas at Dallas• Tufts University• Tulane University• University College, London• University of California, LA• University of Chicago• University of Notre Dame• University of Pennsylvania• University of Southern California• University of Virginia• Vanderbilt University• Washington University in St. Louis• Yale University


sTuDenT life

Life at Hockaday is vibrant and close-knit; students feel they are part of a family, and they forge close relationships with one another and with their teachers. Since 1915, boarding students have been warmly welcomed to campus. Today’s boarding students are a diverse group who hail from across the United States and around the world, enriching the entire school community with their broad range of cultures, experiences, and educational values. Newly renovated dormitories enhance the shared experience among boarders, who also enjoy a 4,000 square-foot fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, numerous art and science labs, and full dining service. Through the House Council, girls have the opportunity to lead their peers, plan student events, and gain personal skills that will benefit them in college and beyond.

In and outside the dorms, inclusion and community are important aspects of life at Hockaday. The School strives to develop strong, inclusive, multicultural communities that value the similarities and differences that exist among people of varied backgrounds.

As one of Hockaday’s Four Cornerstones, Athletics plays an important role in students’ lives. The School’s focus on athletics teaches students to enjoy a mental, physical, and ethical balance through learning that stems from teamwork, self-sacrifice, and perseverance. Students may participate on various teams, including basketball, crew, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Students who wish to participate in the arts have myriad opportunities to do so through Hockaday’s broad and deep arts program. Each of the art forms—visual art, music, drama, dance, and debate—allows students to test and develop their talent, take advanced and allied coursework, and have significant opportunities to express themselves.

Hockaday students are encouraged to give back to their local and global communities. As part of the Dr. William B. Dean Service Learning Program, Hockaday girls partner with boys from St. Mark’s School of Texas to serve and improve their community. Girls are involved in activities such as tutoring, building Habitat for Humanity homes, and partnering with organizations to understand issues such as hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence. Hockaday students have worked with over 200 organizations in the Dallas area.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com6

PHysical camPus

Hockaday’s beautiful 88-acre campus offers state-of-the-art facilities to help students learn and grow. The campus includes academic classrooms for the Middle and Upper Schools, which were renovated in 2005 and feature two student common areas and study rooms. The Lyda Hill STEAM Institute includes science labs, outdoor space, an Idea Lab equipped with two 3D printers, an engineering lab, a planetarium, and a lecture hall. The Nasher-Haemisegger Family Center for the Arts, currently in construction, will open in August 2016 and includes orchestra and choir rooms, a painting studio, individual practice rooms, a black

box theater, ceramics studio, scene shop, dressing rooms for productions, and a state-of-the-art theater. An amphitheater also enhances the fine arts program and is located adjacent to the Center for the Arts.

The Liza Lee Academic Research Center contains the School’s libraries, debate suite, photography and film labs, technology rooms, science exploration lab, AV rooms, and publications rooms. The School’s athletic facilities can be found in the Lacerte Family Gymnasium, the Penson Athletic Center, and the Hill Family Fitness Center. Hockaday’s athletic fields include five playing fields, a softball diamond, and an all-weather six-lane track.

Lower School students learn in the Ashley H. Priddy Lower School Building, which is filled with academic classrooms, several art and music rooms, a computer lab, and a French café.


Dallas, TexasDallas is a globally conscious city with a booming economy, vibrant culture, and passionate sports scene. Founded in 1841, the city quickly rose to prominence as a hub for the oil and cotton industries. Easily connected to other cities by rail and interstate highways, Dallas continued to grow in importance throughout the 20th century. Today, Dallas is connected to the world through the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, hub to American Airlines.

Home to the global headquarters of 12 Fortune 500 Companies, Dallas houses the third largest concentration of such companies in the nation and enjoys a booming economy based primarily on banking, commerce, telecommunications, computer technology, energy, healthcare, and transportation. Dallas is also one of 12 Federal Reserve Bank Districts and hosts one of four regional United States Patent and Trade Offices in the country.

A vibrant educational and intellectual city, Dallas is home to many institutions of learning such as Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and four Nobel Laureates live and work among these institutions. Hockaday is also fortunate to be in a city with a large and collegial independent school network as well as an active non-profit and philanthropic community.

Dallas is a booming cultural hub, featuring cuisine and arts that represent a range of ethnicities and international cultures. Dallas’ Arts District features elegant venues that promote the visual and performing arts including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theater, and the Nasher Sculpture Center, among others.

Fans cheer for four professional sports teams, including the Cowboys (NFL), Mavericks (NBA), Rangers (MLB), and Stars (NHL). Additionally, Dallas offers teams in horse racing, rugby, cricket, and soccer.

Dallas enjoys mild winters, crisp and beautiful springs and autumns, and warm summers. The cityscape is punctuated by multiple skyscrapers and handsome architecture. Iconic buildings include the Reunion Tower, JFK Memorial, and Dallas City Hall, designed by famed architect I.M. Pei.


oPPorTuniTies anD cHallengesThe next Head of School will enter a community of many strengths. S/he will benefit from the opportunities that result from the following assets:• Superb academics, athletics, and arts• A nurturing community• A compelling identity as a girls’ school• Conscientious, curious, and disciplined students with a genuine sense of inquiry• Close and supportive student/faculty relationships with a dedicated, high-quality faculty• Solid commitment to and appreciation for diversity• A handsome and well-appointed physical plant and campus• Cherished traditions, including the School’s defining Four Cornerstones• A highly respected reputation in Dallas and beyond• A forward-thinking new strategic plan• Deep and broad financial resources

The next Head will encounter the following challenges:• Balancing cherished traditions while pursuing 21st-century social change• Defining and continuing academic excellence while catalyzing a spirit of innovation• Maintaining Hockaday’s value proposition as an all-girls’ school• Enhancing cohesion and communication among the three divisions• Embracing Hockaday’s continued support for socioeconomic diversity and financial aid• Maintaining financial security of the School, while ensuring its affordability• Implementing cutting-edge technology effectively

QualificaTions anD QualiTies The successful candidate should be:• A person of integrity, authenticity, and credibility• An experienced educator with deep knowledge of current curricular trends• A strong role model for girls• An effective communicator, with verbal, written, and presentation skills• Approachable, visible, and accessible• An innovative, inspiring visionary with a “growth mindset”• A confident leader who is both collaborative and decisive• An advocate for faculty and students

This person should have:• Intuitive wisdom and judgment as well as experience• Strong leadership skills• An embrace of Hockaday’s culture, mission, and core values• A commitment to diversity• A combination of warmth, fairness, and firmness• An interest in being a visible part of the Dallas community• Experience with and enjoyment of external relations, both fund-raising and marketing• A passion for girls’ education


To aPPlyInterested and qualified candidates should submit the following materials electronically to Rayna Loeb and Aggie Underwood of Carney, Sandoe & Associates:

• Cover letter expressing interest in The Hockaday School position • Current résumé• Statement of educational philosophy• List of five references with phone numbers and email addresses

rayna loeb

Senior Search [email protected]

CARNEY, SANDOE & ASSOCIATES44 Bromfield Street, Boston, MA 02108

www.carneysandoe.com

aggie unDerwooD

Head, Search [email protected]

CARNEY, SANDOE & ASSOCIATES44 Bromfield Street, Boston, MA 02108

www.carneysandoe.com

the hockaday school head of school

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